INFORMATION ABOUT PORCUPINE

Indian Porcupine

Classification Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Chordata

Class : Mammalia

Order : Rodentia

Family : Hystricidae

Genus : Hystrix

Species : H.indica

Zoological name : Hystrix indica

Found In : Gujarat And Madhya Pradesh.

Physical appearance : Indian porcupine is 70-90 cm long and weigh around 37 kg. Its tail is 8 –10 cm long and is covered with short spines which are white in colour. . It neck and shoulders are covered with the crest of stiff hair, which are 15 -30 cm long. The hollow spine of feather on the back of Porcupine grown in large quantity are deep marked with deep black or white rings. Its sharp and modified hair form the multiple layer of spines.

Presence in India : It is mostly found in Haryana and many other parts of India. It can also be spotted in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and Kanha National Park.

Habitat : Indian Porcupine prefers mountains, tropical and sub tropical grasslands, temperate scrublands and forests.

Diet: Indian Porcupine is herbivorous. It feeds on fruits, vegetables, roots , grains, mangoes potatoes, onion, bananas, corn, branches etc.

Lifespan : Life expectancy of the Indian Porcupines is around 20 years.